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Mechanical Engineering at Binghamton University

Vestal, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $66,371/yr (-6% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 19.0x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #126 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Mechanical Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$824K	$788K	$680K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.9x	19.0x	16.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.0x	6.7x	5.8x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	73	72	69

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$41,452

Out-of-state: $117,812 (6.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$85,456

-106% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,000

3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$86,404

30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $66,371 track close to the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 19.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $19,000 in median debt against $66,371 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #126 out of 320 programs, Binghamton University's Mechanical Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $66,371 to $86,404 shows 30% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Binghamton University

Binghamton University admits 38% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with a mid-sized student body of 14,401 in Vestal, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at Binghamton University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Binghamton University's Mechanical Engineering program score?

A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Binghamton University's Mechanical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Mechanical Engineering to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Mechanical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 53% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →